All Characters Belong to Stephenie Meyer
IMPORTANT
I am very busy and am looking for a co-author to finish this story with. If you would like to help me out with that please PM me and give me a sample of your writing to look at. Thanks! As always ENJOY! Sorry it took so long for me to update!
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I lay awake in Edward's arms as I replayed the last few hours over again in my head. Alice had returned looking deeply worried. As soon as she entered the room she locked eyes with Edward. He tensed around me, pulling me closer to him.
They were having a private conversation. I wasn't upset like I normally would have been. I could tell by the way Edward was holding me what she was telling him.
She had seen what my decision would bring.
"I won't allow it." Edward sneered through clenched teeth after several tense minutes.
I tried playing dumb. "What's going on?" I looked towards Alice for an answer not wanting to look into Edward's eyes just yet.
"I had a vision, nothing concrete. The future is never concrete." She added sounding hopeful.
"What did you see?"
Alice looked past me and locked eyes with Edward.
"Nothing of consequence." Edward answered turning my chin to look me in the eyes. "Don't worry about it."
I didn't argue with him. Truthfully, I didn't want to know. If I knew I might chicken out, and I had to get to my mother before the Tracker could. I just had to no matter the cost.
"Do you want me to leave?" Edward whispered effectively pulling me from my thoughts.
"What?" I answered confused.
"I thought perhaps you would sleep better if I wasn't here with you. You seem to be restless tonight."
I snuggled in closer to his chest. "No, I always sleep better in your arms. I just have a lot on my mind."
"Care to share?"
I shrugged. "More of the same."
He lifted one of his arms from around my waist and stroked my face. His feathery touch made me feel as though I were made of glass. "I promise to keep you safe Bella. He won't touch you, or your family."
He clutched me closer to him and I could feel the tension in his arms as he held me. I knew he would do everything in his power to keep me safe, but what about my mother? He would sacrifice her life to save mine. It wasn't something I had to ask, it was something I knew. But the thing was, that just wasn't something I could live with.
A soft melody began to fill the air and though I tried to fight it my eyes soon became too heavy and sleep over took me.
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I leaned over the bathroom sink to get a better look at myself. Dark circles rimmed my eyes. I had nightmares all night. Nightmares that included me getting there too late…watching as the Tracker held my mother…his sneer just before… I shook me head to rid myself of my thoughts. I had to concentrate. Apparently Edward and Alice had talked during the night and we were leaving.
This could be my only chance to get away. I still had no idea how I was going to manage it. I wasn't even sure where we were going. I sighed as I stepped into the shower. There was no hope in convincing Edward to join me. I wouldn't even get to say goodbye. I swallowed hard as tears filled my eyes. My chest began to throb as I considered the idea of never seeing him again. There was a small chance I would survive, but a greater chance I would not. It was a trade I was willing to make, my life for my mother's. I allowed myself a few tears as I rinsed my hair clean. It was better to get it out of my system now then later.
My hands were shaking as I turned the water off. I had to get control of myself. I forced myself to think of nothing but my mother. It helped and my pain dulled to a manageable state allowing me to dress and prepare myself for the day.
As I looked around the bedroom my eyes fell to a little pad of hotel stationary. I was hit with an idea just then. Maybe I could say goodbye. I quickly scratched a note to Edward asking for forgiveness and understanding. I sealed the note and placed it safely in my back pocket before I exited the room. Somehow I would get it to him before I disappeared.
Just as I was returning the stationary to the bedside table my eyes fell upon something else--something essential for my escape—Edward's wallet. I quickly opened the smooth leather case and grabbed the first credit card I found. I slipped it into my front pocket and placed the wallet back on the table as I went to leave the room. I wasn't sure how I was getting to Arizona, but I knew it would cost a lot more money than I had with me. I hoped my luck would hold out and he would not notice his card missing. I would pay him back as soon as I could…if I could…if I survived…
"Where are we going?" I asked distracting myself from my line of thoughts.
Edward was instantly at my side pulling me to him. "To the airport. Our plane leaves in three hours. We should get going." He answered in a grave tone.
I looked between Alice and Edward and could see the distress on both their faces. I could guess what was bothering them, and I did not want details or I might not go through with my plan.
"Where are we going?"
"DC, then we are catching a plane to Europe."
"Europe?" I asked pulling back to look into his eyes. There was no way I was ever going to get away if we managed to make it to Europe. It had to be DC. It was a big enough airport, surely I could get lost in the crowd somehow…right?
I remained silent on the way to the airport as I planned. Alice and Edward kept throwing me worried glances, as we waited to board the plane, whenever they thought I wasn't looking.
I slipped my note for Edward in the front pocket of my carry on knowing he would find it eventually. Alice sat on the other side of me, motionlessly as soon as we took our seats, searching the future. I hoped she was too distracted to see what I was planning.
Inspiration had hit me as we were going through security in New Hampshire. All I really needed was a diversion, for both him and Alice to be detained even if for just a few minutes.
I felt guilt over come me for what I was about to do, but it was my only chance and I had to take it. I waited patiently during the flight enjoying my last few minutes with Edward. Just as we were beginning out decent I made my move.
I excused myself to use the bathroom. Edward reluctantly let me go and I purposely made my way to the back of the plane as far from him as possible. I hoped more than anything that he wasn't listening as I spotted the stewardess station just beyond the bathrooms. For once I was thankful Alice had insisted we fly first class. The closed curtain gave me extra courage.
"Excuse me?" I barely whispered to one of the stewardesses as she started to pack things away.
The stewardess turned to me leaning closer to hear me better. "Can I help you?"
"Yes. There's a man upfront and a women…" I hesitated biting my lip before I continued. "They've been following me since before I got on the plane and they won't leave me alone. Could you possibly keep them back for a while so that I could get off before them? They're really starting to scare me." I knew I looked frightened. I didn't have to fake it. My eyes were wild with fear and the stewardess could see it.
"Should I get the authorities involved?"
"No, no!" I practically yelled then lowered my voice again. "If you could just give me some time. Please don't approach them while I'm around. DC is a big airport. I'll be fine once I get off."
"If you're sure?" She asked concern creasing her brow.
"Yes."
"We'll detain them for as long as we can. Do you know their seat numbers?"
I quickly rattled off the information she needed and thanked her.
"Please, whatever you do, don't think of this when you're around them."
She gave me an odd look and I quickly went on to explain. "They seem very…perceptive. Especially the man, he seems to be able to read people…I guess you could say. Just try to keep your thoughts off me and what I just told you." I pleaded.
She pursed her lips still giving me an uneasy look before nodding her head in agreement.
I breathed a sigh of relief as I swiftly made my way back up front before Edward could get suspicious.
I could see relief wash over his face as soon as he caught sight of me again. I settled back into my seat thankful he seemed to have heard nothing as the pilot turned on the fasten seat belt sign.
This was it. I just hoped my plan would work.